Seahawks beat Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl 60, first title since 2014 The Seattle Seahawks won the second Super Bowl title in franchise history, their first since 2014.  Seattle beat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The win came 11 years after Seattle lost to New England in the 2015 Super Bowl.  Seattle’s defense set the tone, repeatedly stopping New England and helping the Seahawks build a 12-0 lead through three quarters.  The game’s first touchdown did not come until early in the fourth quarter. Once the scoring opened up, both teams scored two touchdowns in the final period.  Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III was voted Super Bowl MVP. He carried 27 times for 135 yards, the most rushing yards by either team. A running back has not won Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos in 1998, a span of 28 years.    2026-02-09 13:18:00

South Korea, U.S. air forces hold first Buddy Squadron exercise of the year SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - The South Korean Air Force and the U.S. Air Force on Monday began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of the year, which runs through Friday, at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province. The Buddy Squadron exercise is a squadron-level combined air drill in which South Korean and U.S. fighter units take turns training together at air bases across the country. The exercise began in 1991 under the name “Friendship Training” to enhance combined operational capabilities by allowing pilots from both countries to train jointly and familiarize themselves with the latest tactics, techniques and procedures. It was renamed the Buddy Squadron exercise in 1997. Under a revised training framework this year, the two air forces plan to more than double the number of participating aircraft and significantly increase the number of training sorties per exercise, while reducing the annual number of iterations from eight to four. The current 26-1 iteration involves KF-16 fighters from the South Korean Air Force and F-16s from the U.S. Air Force. South Korea’s F-35A stealth fighters and FA-50 light attack aircraft will also participate to support integrated operations between fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft. After completing their deployment to Osan on Monday, South Korean pilots will undergo local base procedures as well as safety and security briefings. They will then conduct joint training with U.S. pilots, including air-to-air tactical exchanges and integrated fourth- and fifth-generation fighter operations. The exercise incorporates realistic scenarios that reflect lessons learned from modern warfare. During the drills, South Korean and U.S. forces will alternate between friendly and opposing roles and form mixed formations through a variety of tactical training methods. Capt. Lee Seung-hyun, a KF-16 pilot participating in the exercise, said the training would “serve as an opportunity for South Korean and U.S. pilots to share the latest tactics, fly together and strengthen interoperability.” 2026-02-09 12:33:06

Lee praises late bloomer's surprise silver-medal finish at Winter Olympics in Italy SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday congratulated snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum after the athlete secured South Korea's first medal at this year's Winter Olympics, which kicked off in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan last Friday. Lee praised Kim's silver-medal finish in the men's parallel giant slalom, saying the athlete spent "years of training for races decided by fractions of a second, perfecting his technique and equipment on harsh snow," and finally made the Olympic podium on his fourth attempt since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Lee said the medal was meaningful as South Korea's 400th Olympic medal and the second silver in snow events, demonstrating the country's strength beyond ice sports. He added Kim's medal will boost the South Korean team's confidence, adding that he will cheer for athletes through the final day of the Olympics which will run until Feb. 22 and feature around 3,500 athletes from over 90 countries competing for 116 medals across 16 disciplines. The previous day, the 37-year-old won silver, narrowly losing the final to Austria's Benjamin Karl by just 0.19 seconds after surprisingly advancing to the knockout round by upsetting world No. 1 and favorite Roland Fischnaller of Italy in the quarterfinals. It was the country's first Olympic medal in a snow event in eight years and only its second ever, after Lee Sang-ho's silver-medal finish at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The medal was especially precious as it was the late bloomer's first in roughly 12 years, since he first competed as part of South Korea's first Olympic snowboarding team at Sochi. Sunday's medal was a milestone for South Korea, as it was the country's 80th Winter Olympic medal and 400th Olympic medal overall including 320 from the Summer Games. 2026-02-09 11:32:45

BTS Comeback D-40: Free tickets for Gwanghwamun Square show SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - BTS will open free ticket reservations for their upcoming outdoor comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square starting February 23. According to an announcement posted to the fan platform Weverse on Monday, the group has finalized the entry process for "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," a massive event marking their return as a full seven-member unit. The ticketing is split into two categories to accommodate both the general public and dedicated fans. General admission tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through the online platform Nol Ticket at 8:00 p.m. on February 23. These seats are free and open to anyone without prerequisite conditions. Specific booking instructions are scheduled to be released at noon on February 20 via Weverse and Nol Ticket. Official fans, known as ARMY, can also participate in a global raffle through Weverse. This draw is open to Weverse membership holders who purchase the group's fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," during the designated application period. Further details regarding the raffle entries will be published on February 10. The performance, set for 8:00 p.m. on March 21 in the heart of Seoul, represents a major milestone as the group's first full-scale appearance following a long hiatus. Netflix will collaborate on the event to provide a exclusive live stream to over 190 countries and regions, marking the first time the streaming giant has broadcast a live performance for a solo musical act. In tandem with the concert, the group will launch "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL," a city-wide festival running from March 20 to April 12. The project will transform various locations across South Korea's capital with interactive media content and large-scale art installations that blend the group's music with the urban environment. 2026-02-09 11:29:07

Nikkei tests new highs after sweeping Takaichi win, Seoul recoups last week's rout SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) — Asian markets joined the celebration of a landslide victory by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a rare vote of confidence just three months after taking office, reinforcing expectations for a stimulus-focused economic agenda and a tougher stance toward China. Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, won 354 of the 465 seats in the lower house, giving the ruling bloc a more than two-thirds majority. The result allows the government to override the upper house and push through key legislation. The LDP alone secured 316 seats, its largest majority on record. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 5.18 percent to 57,065.25, setting a new record high following the decisive victory. Global tech shares also supported sentiment. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s response to concerns over excessive artificial intelligence infrastructure spending lifted the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index more than 5 percent overnight, feeding optimism across chip-heavy Asian markets. South Korea’s KOSPI climbed 4.5 percent to 5,316.22 by 11:10 a.m. in Seoul, recovering sharply from last week’s selloff. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ added 3.3 percent to 1,115.56. With gains of 21 percent for the KOSPI and 17 percent for the KOSDAQ as of last week, South Korea’s stock market now ranks among the world’s eight largest by valuation. Both local and foreign brokerages see room for further advances, with some projecting a 12-month target of 7,500 for the KOSPI. Individual investors were net sellers of 1.46 trillion won ($995 million), while foreign and institutional investors bought a net 330.9 billion won and 1.09 trillion won, respectively. The return of foreign inflows supported the won, with the dollar slipping 1.30 won to 1,464.20 won. All of the top 10 stocks by market capitalization on the KOSPI traded higher. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advanced 5.36 percent and 5.60 percent to 167,100 won and 886,000 won, respectively, leading gains in the semiconductor sector. LG Energy Solution rose 1.82 percent to 392,000 won. Financial and biotech shares also strengthened. Samsung Life Insurance gained 5.64 percent to 194,700 won, while Samsung Biologics added 2.40 percent to 1,708,000 won. Automakers joined the advance, with Hyundai Motor rising 3.10 percent to 482,000 won and Kia up 1.38 percent at 154,000 won. Defense and aerospace shares extended gains, with Hanwha Aerospace up 3.90 percent to 1,227,000 won. Shipbuilders also benefited from the broader upswing. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 2.97 percent to 555,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean gained 2.68 percent to 134,100 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.29 percent to 26,903.20, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.82 percent to 4,099.01 in morning trade. 2026-02-09 11:23:51

Three Korean Films Target Lunar New Year Moviegoers With Family Drama, Spy Action and Period Tale 설 연휴를 맞아 한국 영화 기대작 3편이 동시에 관객을 찾는다. 가족 드라마부터 첩보 액션, 정통 사극까지 장르가 다른 영화 ‘넘버원’과 ‘휴민트’, ‘왕과 사는 남자’가 극장가에 나란히 걸린다. 가족 관객을 겨냥한 ‘넘버원(Number One)’은 판타지 설정을 더한 휴먼 드라마다. 어느 날부터 엄마의 음식을 먹을 때마다 줄어드는 숫자가 보이기 시작한 아들 하-min(Choi Woo Shik)의 이야기를 그린다. 하민은 그 숫자가 '0'이 되면 엄마 은실(Jang Hye Jin)이 죽는다는 사실을 알게 되고, 이를 막기 위해 애쓴다. 영화는 가족애를 전면에 내세웠으며, 오는 11일(수) 개봉한다. ‘휴민트’는 블라디보스토크를 배경으로, 비밀과 진실이 뒤엉킨 얼음 바다에서 서로 다른 목적을 지닌 인물들이 맞서는 첩보 액션물이다. Jo In Sung과 Park Jung Min 등이 주연을 맡아 거친 액션과 인물 간 앙상블을 내세운다. 정통 사극을 찾는 관객에게는 ‘왕과 사는 남자’가 선택지로 제시된다. 1457년 청령포를 배경으로, 마을의 부흥을 위해 유배지를 자처한 촌장과 왕위에서 쫓겨난 어린 선왕 단종의 이야기를 담았다. 단종과 엄흥도의 실화를 바탕으로 재구성했다. 극장가는 설 연휴 기간 개성이 뚜렷한 한국 영화 3편이 동시에 관객을 만나면서 선택 폭이 넓어지고, 전체 박스오피스 규모도 커질 것으로 보고 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 11:09:00

Teaser posters for BLACKPINK's upcoming album unveiled SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - Teaser posters for K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's upcoming album were unveiled on Monday, ahead of its release scheduled for late this month. Their management agency YG Entertainment uploaded two posters for "Deadline" on social media, which will mark the quartet's first full-group return in about three years and five months. The posters' vivid contrast in tone and color hints at a wide musical range in the upcoming album, raising excitement among fans. The album, set for release on Feb. 27, contains five songs including the title track "Go." The agency described the album as filled with "the best moments that can't be undone, and BLACKPINK's present at its brightest." 2026-02-09 10:37:04

K-pop girl band IVE pre-releases single track 'Bang Bang' ahead of second studio album SEOUL, February 09 (AJP) - K-pop girl band IVE released their new single "Bang Bang" across major streaming platforms at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) on February 9. The track serves as a pre-release single for the group's second studio album, "REVIVE+," which is scheduled for release on February 23. "Bang Bang" conveys a message of self-reliance and confidence, focusing on the theme of forging one's own path regardless of outside rumors or public scrutiny. According to the group's agency, Starship Entertainment, the song blends elements of electronic dance music (EDM) with Western swing, featuring a direct beat and high energy designed to showcase the group's expanding musical range. Leading up to the release, the six-member band shared teaser photos on their official social media channels to build anticipation. The images featured the six members—An Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz, and Leeseo—dressed in leather outfits, presenting a sharper and more intense aesthetic compared to their previous concepts. Following the full album release later this month, the group is set to meet fans in person. IVE will host a fan concert titled "DIVE into IVE" at the Inspire Arena in Incheon on March 21 and 22. 2026-02-09 10:34:05

Oh Hyeon-gyu scores overhead kick in Besiktas debut as Hwang Ui-jo shines in 2-2 draw South Korea forward Oh Hyeon-gyu delivered a standout debut in a Besiktas jersey.  Oh started in Besiktas’ 2025-2026 Turkish Super Lig Round 21 home match against Alanyaspor at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul on Sunday (Korea time), helping his team earn a 2-2 draw.  Playing as the central striker, Oh scored the equalizer in the ninth minute of the second half with an overhead kick from a loose ball in the box as Besiktas trailed 2-1. The goal stood after a VAR review. He also won a penalty kick in the 29th minute of the first half with Besiktas down 2-0, giving the hosts a chance to start their comeback.  Alanyaspor’s Hwang Ui-jo also started, setting up a “Korean derby.” Hwang assisted Guven Yalcin’s opener in the ninth minute of the first half and later delivered a sharp pass in the 16th minute that sparked the move leading to Alanyaspor’s second goal.  Oh joined Besiktas on Feb. 5 for a reported transfer fee of 14 million euros (about 24.1 billion won).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-09 10:24:00

North Korean leader vows stronger military role over next five years ahead of key party congress SEOUL, February 9 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised the "victorious journey" of the country's military, state media reported on Monday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim attended an event marking the 78th anniversary of the military's founding the previous day along with top Workers' Party officials and senior military brass. Kim said, "In looking back upon the victorious journey of our army over the past turbulent five years as it has always been since its founding, today's glory would never be conceivable separated from the enormous role our army has played." "Last year was a year especially filled with unheard-of dramatic events and distinguished feats that could be performed only by our army," he praised, apparently intended to highlight achievements before the key party congress, where he is expected to unveil the country's major military and economic policies and plans for the upcoming five years. He then touted the military's strength, saying the next five years will be "years when our army's outstanding role that no one else can perform will become further enhanced." The country's ninth key party gathering is expected to be held late this month. 2026-02-09 10:16:03